Improperly discarded smoking materials on a deck caused the July 30 West Linn house fire that killed Bobby Yang, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue has determined.

Yang, who had initially evacuated safely, re-entered the burning home in the 3300 block of Quail Ridge Drive to rescue the family dog. Yang died. The dog is presumed dead.

TVF&R concluded the fire started unintentionally on the deck, according to a report by Your Oregon News published Thursday, Aug. 13. The department has not posted a separate public statement detailing the cause finding.

As we reported Aug. 1, the fire triggered a second alarm due to its severity and the risk to life. Arriving crews found heavy fire at the rear of the home, dense smoke pushing from the roof and flames extending into the attic. Firefighters worked nearly three hours to bring the blaze under control, and structural collapse hazards forced them to suspend the search for Yang. His body was recovered Friday, July 31.

TVF&R, headquartered on SW 70th Avenue in Tigard, serves residents across Tigard, Tualatin, Bull Mountain and Durham. The cause determination reinforces the department's ongoing fire safety warnings: a high-fire danger burn ban has been in effect since June 13, and TVF&R urged residents in its June burn ban announcement to "use extreme caution with smoking materials, barbecues, and other open flames."

The Oregon State Fire Marshal's office reports that smoking-material fires kill an average of 11 people in Oregon each year and notes these fires are "easily preventable."

No criminal charges, civil proceedings or further investigation has been announced.

Residents who want to report fire hazards or request safety information can contact TVF&R's public information office at [email protected] or (503) 649-8577.